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Samuel and Margaret Irvine Todd are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter Sarah Armina Todd to Joseph Russell Donaldson, son of William and Catherine Scott Donaldson. Joseph and Sarah were married 19 November 1862 in Pittsburgh, Frontenac, Ontario.

We really do not know much about this family in terms of personality. We do know a few things about their lives from documents left behind. I thought I would write this article in hopes that other photos may be found, but at least I can share this picture of Joseph and his second wife, Agnes.

Sarah Armina Todd was born the first of five children born to Margaret Irvine and Samuel Todd 13 April 1839 in Cape Vincent, Jefferson, New York. We think the family had just barely arrived from Ireland. The family then settled in Pittsburgh where her father worked as a blacksmith and farmer. We also believe Margaret was of the Irvine Clan in Northern Ireland, but have yet to verify any of that. We do not even know if Margaret and Samuel knew each other before leaving to emigrate to Canada. They may have met in the United States or on the ship over the pond. No pictures of her to date have appeared, hopefully one will arise at some point.

Joseph Russell was born seventh of nine children we know of born to Catherine Scott and William Donaldson 12 April 1836 in Bredie, Tyrone, Northern Ireland. We still have to confirm the exact location, but this is from family history sources stretching to Joseph and Sarah’s sons. Joseph’s parents emigrated to Joyceville, Frontenac, Ontario we believe around 1842. We have yet to verify much of the information related to this family. I have posted some information on Joseph’s sister, Mary Hutton. I have also made mention of Joseph’s double nephew, William John.

Anyhow, Joyceville and Pittsburgh are about 1.25 miles apart and it is easy to imagine how Joseph and Sarah met. Both families were in the area long enough they were probably well acquainted with each other and the myriad of cousins living in the vicinity. However they met, the two were married in Pittsburgh in 1862 and went on to have eight children. Joseph worked as a farmer his entire life in the Pittsburgh area.

Margaret Emma Donaldson was born 6 February 1864 in Joyceville and died 11 June 1916. We do not know where she died or if she ever married.

William Scott Donaldson was born 18 June 1865 in Joyceville and died 12 September 1913 in Ogden, Weber, Utah. He worked for the Union Pacific Railroad, which took him west. There he met and married Mary Elizabeth Williams. I have written of their life at this link: Donaldson-Williams Wedding.

Samuel Gordon Donaldson was born 23 February 1867 in Joyceville and died 22 October 1933 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio. He married Catherine Joyce 18 January 1899.

Joseph Russell Donaldson was born 15 September 1868 in Joyceville and died 19 October 1922 in Toronto, York, Ontario. He married Mary Elizabeth Connell 1 May 1899 in Joyceville.

George Donaldson was born 10 October 1871 in Joyceville and died 8 December 1943 in Watertown, Jefferson, New York. He married Florence Martha Carey 9 January 1896 in Clayton, Jefferson, New York. Here are photos of their family.

Sarah Gertrude Donaldson was born 15 July 1873 in Joyceville. We do not know anything really more about her other than she married Harry Joseph Houghton 22 April 1903. As far as we can tell, they moved to Lakewood or Cleveland in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

Harriett Edith Donaldson was born 10 September 1875 in Joyceville. We do not know anything more about her other than she married Arnold Lovell 25 July 1903.

Robert John Donaldson was born 26 July 1877 in Joyceville and died 24 May 1878 in Pittsburgh.

Sarah then died 4 October 1880 in Pittsburgh and was buried in the Sandhill Cemetery in Joyceville.

Joseph remarried 15 July 1891 in Ernestown, Lennox and Addington, Ontario. We do not know a whole lot about her other than it appears she was born 14 June 1842 in Quebec and died 20 February 1925. Her parents are listed on her death certificate as Henry Quirts and Ann Jane Farquar. The family used the name of Henry Quirt and Ann Jane Farquhar. Dunlop was the name of a previous husband, Robert.

Unknown, Joseph and Agnes Donaldson, Hattie Lovell, Unknown

When retirement came, Joseph moved to Kingston, Frontenac, Ontario. It is here we presume he met Agnes. He lived in Kingston until he passed away in that city 19 January 1925. He was buried next to Sarah in Sandhill Cemetery in Joyceville.

Walking and visiting with a professor today, she asked the name of my daughter. I indicated it was Aliza and she stated, “A good English name. You definitely look English, is it a family name?” We chatted a little longer before we separated, but it left me thinking, “Exactly what are my proportions of nationality?” Well, here they are. Even though I had always thought I was more German, I was wrong. I am more British.

Looking back 6 generations, I took each ancestor and assigned them 1/32 of my blood line (obviously). I then assigned them the nation to which their ancestors came from. Most of this generation were still in their native country so it was easy. My “US” line is only those designated that I do not definitively know which mother country they came from because they are so long in Virginia (at least to 1780). I debated about whether to lump the Saxon, Prussian, and Wuerttemberg lines because I am not lumping the Ireland, Wales, and English lines. I have provided a separate indication of my “German” and “British” lines.

3/16 – England – Sharp, Bailey, Stoker, Eames, Coley, Rogers

1/8 – Netherlands – Van Leeuwen, Weenig, Janzen, Van der Meij

1/8 – Saxony – Schneider, Andra, Knauke, Richter

1/8 – Wuerttemberg – Wanner, Schmid, Nuffer, Greiner

1/8 – US – Meredith, Shepherd, Graham and Miles lines

1/16 – Ireland – Donaldson, Todd

1/16 – Norway – Christiansen, Jorgensen

1/16 – Prussia – Jonas, Schumacher

1/16 – Sweden – Nelson (Nilsson), Benson (Bengtsson)

1/16 – Wales – Williams, Jordan

All together

5/16 – British

5/16 – German

I am willing to bet all 4 of my US lines were Wales and England. Therefore, 7/16 would be British. This is the largest percentage of them all, almost 50% of me is British! Maybe that is why I served a British mission (although none of my family came from within my mission).

There is not a whole lot to report on at the present. We enjoyed a Thanksgiving here in blessed Virginia.

Amanda and I drove to Massanutten, a resort up in the hills. We went up to spend Thanksgiving with Amanda’s Uncle and Aunt. It turned out to be an interesting day. I enjoyed the drive up to the area. Gordonsville was the highlight of the day, the town having a personality completely its own. A rare thing it seems these days.

Massanutten wasn’t anything to boast about. They do have a very large indoor water park. Other than that, it was just a bunch of condos in the middle of the mountains. Don’t get me wrong, the mountains were beautiful. How much more beautiful without the “hello, here I am” presence of the resort?

Amanda and I have determined we will never go out to enjoy our Thanksgiving meal again. It seems to undermine what the day is about. Who would have ever thought it was Thanksgiving. Where was any resemblance of Thanksgiving, other than a commercial version of the foods associated with the date?

We went back and pretty much watched the TV for the rest of the day. Driving home, we were relieved to leave the situation which seemed lacking so much.

Hopefully, I can pay some homage to the day here even though the day did not provide much.

This week, I discovered I am the posterity of individuals who lived at Jamestown. Yes, next years celebration of 400 years in America, honored even by the Queen, is directly relevant to me. Not just through this nation, but through my ancestors who lived there. The Clark (or Clarke) family, the Summers, Lumpkin, and Thompson groups I am all related to. There is a possibility my Clark’s even come from the famous John Clark, who was the Master’s Mate on the Mayflower. He had been to Jamestown before, imprisoned in Spain, made the trip of the Mayflower, and eventually made his way back to live in Jamestown. He died not too much afterwards. I am also a descendent of the Graham Clan who settled parts of Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky. They extended into Missouri, Indiana, Iowa, and Ohio as well. I am an American very deep in some roots. One of those Grahams was a personal friend of George Washington, and convinced him to help endow a new school he had founded. Yep, a Graham founded Washington and Lee. My history includes three future presidents, universities, and other numerous recorded aids to society.

My roots expand the ocean many times. My roots run to Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and England. My ancestors were in the court of rulers; my ancestors even ruled parts of the Roman Empire. My ancestors come from Sweden, Norway, and the largest number from Germany. I have family who can be traced into Russia, Australia, and a score of other nations. The foundations I have been given are broad and inclusive. I am so very fortunate. Each of us have a history which began long before we were born.

Those blessings extend beyond my family. This nation, which has its hopes in liberty and freedom are one of the greatest blessings to me. I am very fortunate. It may be a weakness in many ways, but is a great boon in many more ways. I pray for the principles upon which it is founded to continue to go to the whole earth. I pray that those principles would be grasped by other nations and be implemented into their states. I pray our nation might return to the principles of truth and freedom for which it is founded.

I remember the lives of those who were given for this freedom I enjoy and others do not. Two of my Great Grandfather’s were gassed in WWI and both lived to tell the tale. Both met painful and difficult deaths due to it. One grandfather has purple hearts to show for his wounds and success in WWII. The other grandfather tried to enroll, but due to health issues was not allowed to be a part.

I pray for the soldiers of freedom everywhere. I care not what nation they represent, as long as they are there for liberty, freedom, and truth. I pray God will bless those who represent those hopes and ideals. That those who do not represent those ideals, or those they represent, will be thwarted in their designs.

It is with gratitude I offer my thanks to He who makes death not a fear. I thank and give adoration to the Savior of all mankind, even Christ that we might all live again. That despite wickedness and fear, we have nothing to fear but sin. I express my deepest thanks for the restoration of His church back on the earth and the miracles which abound about us. The gathering of lost nations, the restoration of Israel, the building up of the kingdom in preparation for the king whose right it is to rule. My deepest sympathies are with the restoration and furthering of eternal purposes upon the earth. My greatest joys and delight come from this impressive, yet almost unrecognizable effort happening in our midst.

I am pleased to have been born at this time of such great blessing. It is with a certain hope I see the future, despite all which is prophesied to come upon us. So much pain that the Saints will barely escape with their lives. We have seen little or nothing of what is to come. Nations will rise up against nations and desolation shall abound on all the earth. Those of the order of God have not need to fear though. This I am grateful for. For the Priesthood which shall protect those within the covert from the storm, for the Resurrection that those who will be lost; both for their own sins and for a more full judgment upon the wicked.

Most close to home I thank for those who are dearest to me. I am thankful for those who so deeply touch the deepest parts of my soul. Many who are now separated from me by death, but that too shall not be for long. My dearest wife, and all her splendor for which I am a blessed soul. My parents who fought and struggled so hard for my upbringing and their abiding love for me.

There is a whole multitude of souls I could reference for their influence in my life. The more I learn and contemplate, the more I realize how intricately every soul is linked to one another. Even years later we remember the influence of another. There are influences from childhood, influences from events far away, and even influence from beyond the grave.